Loose leaf binder



April 29, 1958 R. G. DEMAREST, JR 2,832,343

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed March a, 1951 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. I Ru s551.1. G. DEMHPESfiJ/i'.

A ril 29, 1958 R. e. DEMAREST, JR 2,832,343

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed March 8, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RUSSELL(i DEM/QRESEJE fl TTORNE Y April 29, 1958 R. a. DEMAREST. JR 2,832,348

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed March a, 1957' s Sheets-Sheet 5 Hv M;

INVENTORQ RUSSELL 6. flEM/mkesgh United LOOSE LEAF BINDER Russell G.Demarest, Jr., Glen Rock, N. J.

Application March 8, 1957, Serial No. 644,791

7 Claims. (Cl. 129--8) This invention relates to loose leaf binders andis directed particularly to a loose leaf binder that is capable ofconveniently holding papers having a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a loose leafbinder of the above nature in which the cover members cooperate, whenthe binder is closed, to form a rigid boxdike container for the papersenclosed.

It is another object of my invention to provide a loose leaf binder ofthe character described wherein the papers are held by means of a singleelongated post hole, rather than a plurality of spaced binder ringholes.

It is another object to provide a loose leaf binder of the characterdescribed which includes a fiat rectangulur central side member and flatfront and back cover members hinged to the longitudinal edges of saidside member and movable from positions in a common plane with said sidemember to spaced parallel positions perpendicular to said side member,outer edges of said cover members being provided with right an ular wallsections adapted to interfit for forming a complete enclosure aboutpapers held in the binder.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a loose leaf binderof the character described wherein the papers are held by a post andlink ring structure extending through a single elongated hole in thepapers, said link ring structure extending from a point on the centralside member to a point on the back cover member, whereby the papers whenspread at each side of loose leaf binder in open condition will be withtheir adjacent longitudinal edges in substantialy abutting engagement.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a loose leaf binderstructure of the above nature, selfcontained means for perforatingpapers with holes of proper size and shape and located at the properposition for binding.

A further object is to provide a loose leaf binder of the above naturewhich will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture,compact, and very eiiicient and durable in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description when read with reference to theaccompanying drawings illustrating one form in which the invention mayconveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a top view of a loose leaf binder according to theinvention shown in closed condition,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the loose-leaf binder shown in Fig.1, taken along the line 2-Z2 thereof in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a side elevations view similar to Fig. 2 but taken along theline of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows,

d-d of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows,

Patented Apr. 29, 1953 once Fig. 5 is a top view of the loose leafbinder shown in open condition,

Pig. 6 is a side elevational view of the .loose leaf binder shown inFig. 5 taken along the line 66 thereof in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takenalong the line 77 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 8 is a view, on an enlarged scale, and with por- J tions of thebinder covers broken away, illustrating in front elevation the post andlink structure for holding the loose leaf papers in the binder,

Fig. 9 is a vertical crosssectional view taken along the line 9-2? ofFig. 8 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 16 is a horizontal cross'sectional view taken along the line1ti-lll of Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 11 is a plan view of one of the links comprising the link structurefor holding the loose leaf papers,

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view thereof,

Fig. 13 is an exploded end view of a series of links illustrating theirinterfitting relationship,

Fig. 14 is a partial inside view of the front cover member of the looseleaf binder, illustrating the use of the device for perforating papersto fit on the post and link structure, and

Fig. 15 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale, taken along theline 15-l5 of Fig. 14 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsdenote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the loose leafbinder embodying the invention comprises a fiat rectangular central sidemember lit, preferably of a light weight metal such as aluminum, to thelongitudinal edges of which are hinged, as by piano hinges 11 and 12, apair of front and back cover members 13 and M, respectively, also ofmetal.

The front cover member 13 is provided with an upstanding rectangular tophorizontal side member 15 and an upstanding rectangular vertical sidemember 16 of equal height (see Figs. 5 and 6). The lower horizontal edgeof the front cover member 13 has hinged to it as by a piano hinge 17 arectangular bottom horizontal side member 18 which can be folded flatagainst the upper surface of said front cover member as illustrated inFig. 5

when the binder is in use, and which can be positioned at right anglesto said front cover member in abutting relation to an inwardlyprojecting portion 19 of the vertical side member 16 when the binder isto be closed, as is hereinbelow more fully described.

The back cover member 14, which is slightly less in height and slightlygreater in width than the front cover member 13, is provided with anupstanding .top horizontal side member 29 of a height somewhat less thanthe height of the side members and 16 forming part of the front covermember 13. The outer vertical edge of the back cover member 14 isintegrally formed with an upstanding short flange 21, the upper end ofwhich is spaced from the outer end of the side member 20 (see Figs. 5and 6). Thus, when the binder is closed as illustrated in Figs. 1-4, thesidemember 15 of the front cover member 13 will overlap above the topside member 20 of the back cover member 14, and the side member 16 ofsaid front cover member will fit in front of the flange 21 of said backcover member, whereby a rigid boxlike enclosure is provided for thecontained papers.

The post and link structure for the loose leaf binding of papers withinthe binder comprises a pair of spaced hollow posts 22; 23 secured inupright position against the insides of the central side member 10 andthe back cover member 14, respectively in horizontally aligneddisposition (see Figs. 5, 6, and 10). The posts 22 and 23 are elongatedin cross-sectional shape, and have spaced asaaaae parallel sides 24,formed with semi-cylindrical end portions 26 of greater diameter thanthe spacing between said sides (see Figs. 9, 10).

An articulated link structure 27 adapted to releaseably interconnect theposts 22, 23 is provided, said link structure comprising a first linkstructure portion 28 associated with the post 22 and a second linkstructure portion 29 associated with the post 23 (see Figs. 7 and 8).

The link structure portions 28 and 29 are comprised of individual links30 (see Figs. ll, 12, and 13), preferably formed of cast metal. Eachlink 3% comprises an elongated central portion 31, slightly arcuate inthe transverse direction and rounded at its forward side, wherein thereis provided an opening 32. Each end of the link 30 is formed with anintegral cylindrical member 33 of greater diameter than the thickness ofthe central portion 31, and arcuate to the same degree and in the samedirection as said central portion. The cylindrical mem bers extendbeyond the rear of the central portion 31 and are formed with curvatures34 thereat. openings 35 are provided in the rearWardly-extendingportions of the cylindrical members 33. The front portions of thecylindrical members 33 are curved as indicated at 36 to complement thecurvature 34 at the rear of the next following link when assembled bymeans of pins 37 as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

The articulated link structure portions 28 and 2) are constrained toaxial movement Within their respective post 22 and post 23 by means of across pin 37a extending through the lowermost one of their links 3% andguided in vertical slots 38 in the sides of said posts (see Figs. 9 and10).

The link structure portion 28 terminates at its outer end in a half-link38:; provided with three plugs 3% adapted to fit into and befrictionally held within complementary socket holes 41'; provided in ahalf-link at the outer end of the link structure portion 29.

The link structure portion 29 is short enough so that when disconnectedfrom the link structure portion it can be dropped completely into itspost 23 when the binder is to be closed, as illustrated by the withdrawnposition of said link structure portion in Fig. 7. In order that thelink structure portion may readily be pulled outwardly of its post 23,said post at each side of its upper end is provided with an arcuatecut-out 42 (see Figs. 9

and 10). The spacing between the posts 22 and 23 and the lengths of thelink structure portions 28 and 29 are such that when the binder is inopen condition, as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 8, it will be possibleto plug said link structure portions together for enabling paper to bepassed from one post side to another as desired only when they are intheir uppermost positions with respect to their individual posts, and inthis position the front and back curved portions 36 and 34 of adjacentlink members 39 will lock at their lowermost ends to provide asubstantially rigid structure.

The posts 22 and 23 are so spaced and positioned that paper sheets Plying at each side of the binder will have their inner vertical edges inabutting disposition, so that substantially a continuous paper surfaceis presented for convenience in using two sheets for a single drawing,for example.

Self-contained means is provided for forming the elongated rectangularpost openings 43 in the paper P to be bound (see Figs. 5, 10) said meanscomprising a scoring member 44 having outwardly-struck linear edges 44in the form of a rectangle, said scoring member being afiixed againstthe inner surface of the front cover member 13 near the upper left-handcorner (see Figs. 5, 14, and 15). A rectangular scoring tool 46 is alsoprovided, said tool normally being held by a spring clip 47 securedagainst the outside of the side wall 16. In use a sheet of paper P to beperforated for binding is pushed into the upper left-hand corner of thefront cover member 13 in abut- Aligned vertical 4 ment with the sidewalls 15 and 16 (see Fig. 14) and the tool 46 is then run up and downthe paper at the zone above the scoring member 44, as illustrated inFig. 15. This will produce a scored rectangle on the paper which canreadily be pushed out to leave the desired opening for binding. It willbe noted that the scoring member 44 is so positioned on the front covermember 13 that the opening 43 in the paper formed as described abovewill be in position for proper spacing in the binder. Since the paperopenings 43 are rectangular their edges will contact the posts 22 and 23only at three points at each.

of the cylindrical end portions 26 thereof, whereby minimum frictionresults to ensure ease in passing the paper from one post to the otherover the link structure 27.

' The link structure 27, being substantially of the same I described,the outwardly-extending end of the link structure portion 23 willoverlie the top of the post 23 and fall loosely at rest against the topof whatever papers are contained in the loose leaf binder (see Fig. 7).In closed condition, the link structure potrion 2% is so close to theupper end of the post 23 as to prevent accidental falling off of papersbound thereon.

Though only one form in which the invention may be embodied in practiceis described in this specification, it is to be understood that thisform is given by way of illustration only, and that the invention is notlimited to the particular disclosure, but may be modified and embodiedin various other equivalent forms without departing from its spirit. Inshort, the invention includes all the modifications and embodimentscoming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new andfor which it is desired to obtain Letters Patent is:

l. In a loose leaf binder, the combination comprising, a backing memberhaving a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, a front cover member hingedto one of said spaced longitudinal edges, a back cover member hinged tothe other of said spaced longitudinal edges, side wall means on saidfront and back cover members operative to interfit to form a box likeenclosure when said front and back cover members are swung into spacedparallel alignment with each other, and releasable means interconnectingsaid backing member and one of said cover members for binding loose leafpaper wherein said releasable binding means comprises a first uprighthollow post secured to said backing member, a second upright hollow postsecured to said back cover member, and link means interconnecting saidhollow posts, wherein said link means comprises a first articulated linkstructure constrained at one end to axial movement Within said firstpost, and a second articulated link structure constrained at one end toaxial movement within said second posts and interconnectable plug andsocket at the other ends of said first and second link structures.

2. In a loose leaf hinder, the combination comprising, a backing memberhaving a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, a front cover member hingedto one of said spaced longitudinal edges, back cover member hinged tothe other of said spaced longitudinal edges, side Wall means on saidfront and ba k cover members operative to interfit to form aiBC'X-llrifi enclosure when said front and back cover members are swunginto spaced parallel alignment with each other, and releasable meansinterconnecting said backing member and one of said cover members forbinding loose leaf paper wherein said releasable binding means comprisesa first upright hollow post secured to said backing member, a secondupright hollow post secured to said back cover member, and link meansinterconnecting said hollow posts, wherein said link means comprises afirst articulated link structure constrained at one end to axialmovement within said first post, and a second articulated link structureconstrained at one end to axial movement within said second posts andinterconnectable plug and socket means at the other ends of said firstand second link structures, wherein one of said articulated linkstructures is short enough to be completely contained by itsconstraining post.

3. In a loose leaf binder, the combination comprising, a backing memberhaving a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, a front cover member hingedto one of said spaced longitudinal edges, a back cover member hinged tothe other of said spaced longitudinal edges, side wall means on saidfront and back cover members operative to interfit to form a box-likeenclosure when said front and back cover members are swung into spacedparallel alignment with each other, and releasable means interconnectingsaid backing member and one of said cover members for binding loose leafpaper wherein said releasable binding means comprises a first uprighthollow post secured to said backing member, a second upright hollow postsecured to said back cover member, and link means interconnecting saidhollow posts, wherein said. link means comprises a first articulatedlink structure constrained at one end to axial movement within saidfirst post, and a second articulated link structure constrained at oneend to axial movement within said second posts and interconnectable plugand socket means at the other ends of said first and second linkstructures, wherein the articulated link structure constained by thepost extending from said back cover member is short enough to becompletely contained therein and short enough to allow over passage ofthe articulated link structure extending from the remaining post whensaid cover members are swung into spaced parallel alignment for closingthe binder.

4. In a loose leaf binder, the combination comprising, a backing memberhaving a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, a front cover member hingedto one of said spaced longitudinal edges, 21 back cover member hinged tothe other of said spaced longitudinal edges, side wall means on saidfront and back cover members operative to interfit to form a box-likeenclosure when said front and back cover members are swung into spacedparallel alignment with each other, and releasable means interconnectingsaid backing member and one of said cover members for binding loose leafpaper, wherein said releasable binding means comprises a first uprighthollow post secured to said backing member, a second upright hollow postsecured to said back cover member, and link means interconnecting saidhollow posts, said hollow posts are of a cross-sectional shape havingspaced parallel sides and circular ends of greater diameter than thespacing between said sides.

5. In a loose leaf binder, the combination comprising, a backing memberhaving a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, a front cover member hingedto one of said spaced longitudinal edges, 21 back cover member hinged tothe other of said spaced longitudinal edges, side wall means on saidfront and back cover members operative to interfit to form a box-likeenclosure when said front and back cover members are swung into spacedparallel alignment with each other, and releasable means interconnectingsaid backing member and one of said cover members for binding loose leafpaper wherein said releasable binding means comprises a first uprighthollow post secured to said backing member, a second upright hollow postsecured to said back cover member, and link means interconnecting saidhollow posts, wherein said link means comprises a first articulated linkstructure constrained at one end to axial movement within said firstpost, and a second articulated link structure constrained at one end toaxial movement within said second posts and interconnectable plug andsocket means at the other ends of said first and second link structures,said link structures are constrained at one end thereof to theirrespective posts by means of pins at the extremities of said one endsguided in longitudinal slots in said posts.

6. In a loose leaf binder, the combination comprising, a rectangularbacking member, a front cover member hinged at one edge to onelongitudinal edge of said rectangular backing member, a back covermember hinged at one edge to the opposite longitudinal edge of saidrectangular backing member, side walls on said front and back covermembers operative to interfit to form a boxlike enclosure when saidfront and back cover members are swung into spaced parallel alignmentwith each other, a first hollow post secured in upright position on theinside of said backing member, a second hollow post secured in uprightposition on the inside of said back cover member and in horizontalalignment with said first post and disconnectable articulated linkmechanism interconnecting said hollow posts for securing loose leafpaper, wherein said hollow posts and said link mechanism are of acrosssectional shape having spaced parallel sides and circular ends ofgreater diameter than the spacing between said sides.

7. In a loose leaf hinder, the combination comprising, a rectangularbacking member, a front cover member hinged at one edge to onelongitudinal edge of said rectangular backing member, a back covermember hinged at one edge to the opposite longitudinal edge of saidrectangular backing member, side walls on said front and back covermembers operative to interfit to form a boxlike enclosure when saidfront and back cover members are swung into spaced parallel alignmentwith each other, a first hollow post secured in upright position on theinside of said backing member, a second hollow post secured in uprightposition on the inside of said back cover member and in horizontalalignment with said first post and disconnectable articulated linkmechanism interconnecting said hollow posts for securing loose leafpaper, wherein said link mechanism comprises a first articulated linkstructure connected at one end for sliding axial movement within saidfirst post, and a second articulated link structure connected at one endfor sliding axial move ment within said second post, and plug and socketmeans at the other ends of said link structures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS660,811 Dunning Oct. 30, 1900 1,426,657 Long Aug. 22, 1922 FOREIGNPATENTS 330,804 Germany Jan. 13, 1921 212,832 Great Britain Mar. 20,1924

